You are in the frame of mind to work on a DIY project, and it’s going to start with a wall color refresh. You’ve looked at all the inspiration and can picture it in your mind – clean white walls making your room feel bright, airy, and open. White is one of the most popular wall colors around, it seems like a simple and straightforward color. However, when you begin researching the options you realize not all whites are the same.
Behr color experts have gathered the BEST advice for choosing white paint:
Most whites have a slight color nuance or undertone. Very few white paints are colorless. That means they may have a tiny hint of blue, pink, yellow, green, tan, violet, gray and so on. It may not be easy to see the undertone by looking at paint chips, comparing them side by side, or viewing them on a computer screen. The best way to see your white’s undertone is to place chips on a piece of white copy paper, use natural daylight conditions and see what color stand outs. It’s almost like magic how quickly they appear.
Lighting can play a role. Be sure to look at white swatches under all light sources in your home. Test your color in as large an area possible. The best visual test is purchasing 8 oz. samples, painting an area on the wall, and reviewing them throughout the day.
Warm whites feel cozy and inviting. Use them whenever you want a room to feel comfortable and intimate. Behr’s Swiss Coffee or Smoky White are examples of warm white because they have creamy golden notes.
Cool whites will feel serene and crisp. They will have blue or gray undertones and help a space feel vast and expansive. Behr’s Frost or Bakery Box are examples of cool whites.
Compare your white paint swatches to other elements or materials in the room. Look at your white color chips next to flooring, cabinetry, counter tops, tile, and furniture pieces to ensure they harmonize. In general, if you have warm décor already in the room like a sandy beige sofa and natural hardwood floors, you’ll want to look at warm whites. If décor and furniture leans cool in the blue-gray or green ranges, you’ll want to go with a cooler white tone.
All of our best whites are featured online at behr.com or can be found at your local The Home Depot. Ask us any of your color questions as well at Ask an Expert.
Colorfully yours,
Erika
Hello! Will the ultra pure white trim go well with Behr natural white on walls?
Hello there Dhruvi, Thank you for visiting our blog and reaching out with your color question! Choosing Natural White for your walls is a wonderful decision—it brings a warm, inviting feel that adds a touch of understated luxury to any space. To enhance this look, pairing it with Ultra Pure White on the trim is a perfect choice. The crisp brightness of Ultra Pure White will create a clean contrast against the warmth of Natural White, resulting in a beautifully balanced and cohesive design. If you have any more questions or need further guidance on your project, we’re always here to help.
Colorfully Yours,
Deanna
Do you guys make the bakery white paint anymore not the bakery box
Hello Erica, thank you for visiting our blog!
I did a search, and I could not find a color by the name of Bakery White.
Sorry about that.
Colorfully Yours,
Deanna
Hello,
I’m redoing a toddlers playroom and want to paint the walls white.
I want it to go with bright rainbow furniture but also look cozy in warm soft lighting.
What would you suggest?
Hello Caroline, thank you for visiting our blog!
A white color I recommend is Silky White PPU7-12. This white will coordinate nicely with the rainbow furniture.
Colorfully Yours,
Deanna
I am redoing 2 bathrooms post hurricane that consist of mostly white & gray tile. I am looking for a white paint (there are so many)
Hello Lauren, thank you for visiting our blog!
I can give you a few recommendations.
Are you looking for a warm white, cool white and how bright do you want it?
Colorfully Yours,
Deanna
We’re renovating our bathroom and using Sage tiles in the bathtub area and Sage paint on the sink wall. The vanity is a medium brown truffle color. (We haven’t chosen a countertop). The floor tile is a very light Taupe with some abstract design in a slightly darker shade. I want the opposite wall to be white to keep the room bright and to make it easier when one is doing makeup. What Behr white do you think I should consider?
Hello Kathy, thank you for visiting our blog!
I recommend these following white tones that will work: Polar Bear 75, Swiss Coffee 12 or Silky White PPU7-12.
Colorfully Yours,
Deanna
What is the best trim color to use with Behr Swiss coffee. And banister with spindles ?
Hello Gayle, thank you for visiting our blog!
The best white to pair with Swiss Coffee is Ultra Pure White.
You can also carry the Swiss Coffee through to trim, banister and spindles.
Hope this helps!
Colorfully Yours,
Deanna
I want a white with a blue tone. What do you suggest?
Hello B, thank you for visiting our blog!
Frost and Bakery Box each are a white with a blue undertone.
Colorfully Yours,
Deanna
Hello,
I am updating my family room that’s facing south; it gets plenty of sunlight from 4 windows and sky lights. I bought blank canvas and swiss coffee samples to test. Both of them are very similar and are way too yellow. I then bought whipped cream sample, it’s too white as white as white primer. I want the room look white but not starky as white primer. Please kinldy help. Thank you so much!
Hello there, thank you for visiting our blog!
A white that is not too stark or too yellow is Silky White PPU7-12.
Colorfully Yours,
Deanna
We went with BM Simply White but it’s too yellow in our hallway. We have no natural light. Would you recommend Polar Bear or Whisper White or Frost?
Would appreciate some guidance!
Hello Albha, thank you for visiting our blog!
I would recommend Polar Bear or trying Frost. We do have 8oz samples available so you can test each of these colors.
Colorfully Yours,
Deanna
Which white paints by Behr have pink undertones?
Hello Diane, thank you for reaching out!
A few whites with pink undertone’s that you can try are New House White RD-W10, Timid White PR-W12, or Moonlit Beach RD-W05.
Colorfully Yours,
Deanna
Hi Erika,
What color of white paint would you recommend for a basement bedroom with one small window facing north. I would very much appreciate your talent helping me to choose a paint color.
Hi Kathy, thank you for visiting our blog!
With north facing light, you may want to avoid white colors that have a cool gray or blue undertone. We suggest a warm white like Swiss Coffee or Blank Canvas. A cleaner white like Whisper white would also work in your basement space. If you are looking for a white trim color to go with white walls, Whipped Cream is a good option.
Colorfully Yours,
Erika
Hi Rekha.
I have a south facing room with 2 sets of French doors. The flooring is Ipe with shades of brown. I need a white color. I’ve read that south facing rooms need a white with blue undertones to balance the strong yellow tones of the sun reflection.
Do you agree with this? If so, I was thinking about FROST. Any other color recommendations?
I’m very grateful for your thoughts and time.
Hello Darlene, thank you for visiting our blog!
You can go with a white with a cool undertone in the blue family or you can definitely go with a warm white as well if you want to create additional warmth.
Frost 57 is a great choice, also White 52.
I will also recommend Polar Bear 75 and Swiss Coffee 12.
We do have 8oz paint samples available for you to try these colors on your walls and see what you prefer the most.
Hope this helps!
Colorfully Yours,
Deanna
Hello Erica
Kitchen remodeling Taupe Cabinets and quartz of white countertop,
Which BEHR whiter color should I use, I have Kelly moors frost white on doors and trims,
Hello Rekha, thank you for visiting our blog!
I recommend White 52 to use on your walls. We do have 8oz paint samples so you can test the color first.
Colorfully Yours,
Deanna
What color is the trim and wall color in first bathroom picture? Are they both polar bear?
Hello Christina, thank you for visiting our blog!
Yes, both of those are Polar Bear 75.
Colorfully yours,
Deanna
Hello,
I realize this article is a couple years old however I’d like to know the colors used in the 1st picture of the bathroom on the trim and walls. Also, love the white tile with black grout what a great idea. It’s so beautiful. Thank you
Hello Cris, thank you for visiting our blog!
That bathroom color is Polar Bear 75.
Colorfully Yours,
Deanna
Not sure if you can answer this but here goes. In my bathroom I have Benjamin Moore Arizona tan. Looking for a behr off white to match with it? Any recommendations?
Hello Lisa, thank you for visiting our blog!
A nice off white you can try is Cotton Knit PPU7-11 and that will pair nicely with Tan.
https://www.behr.com/consumer/ColorDetailView/PPU7-11
Hope this helps!
Colorfully Yours,
Deanna
Can you recommend some white shades for a small kitchen with cherry cabinets, white quartz counter tops and medium toned wood floors?
Hello Barbara, thank you for visiting our blog!
A few whites I recommend are Silky White PPU7-12, Swiss Coffee 12, Cotton Knit PPU7-11.
Colorfully Yours,
Deanna
Which white trim color for my kitchen which will have Perfect Taupe for cabinets.
Hello Joy, thank you for visiting our blog!
You can do Polar Bear 75 for your trim which will coordinate with your cabinets in Perfect Taupe.
Hope this helps!
Colorfully Yours,
Deanna
What white should I use as trim on mountain sage home?
Hello Rocky, thank you for reaching out!
You can pair Mountain Sage with Polar Bear 75 as the trim.
Colorfully Yours,
Deanna
Looking for the most appropriate white to accent Behr natural grey
Hello Lynne, thank you for reaching out!
You can pair it with Polar Bear 75.
Hope this helps!
Colorfully Yours,
Deanna
Hello. which of your whites has a warm pink undertone?
thanks
Hello Sharon, thank you for visiting our blog!
A warm white with a pink undertone that I recommend is New House White RD-W10.
Colorfully Yours,
Deanna